HIGHLIGHTS

In 2008, agriculture grew by 3.92 percent. Except for livestock, all subsectors posted output increases. The fisheries subsector put up the biggest production gain during the year. At current prices, the value of agricultural production amounted to P1.2 trillion or 19.32 percent more this year because of the combined effects of increases in production and prices.

The crops subsector expanded by 4.05 percent this year. Palay and corn farms registered output increases of 3.54 percent and 2.82 percent, respectively. Higher production increments were recorded by pineapple at 9.57 percent, banana at 16.06 percent and sugarcane at 22.62 percent. The crops subsector accounted for 47.71 percent of total agricultural production. During the year, the subsector grossed P634.9 billion at current prices, representing a 23.95 percent increase from the 2007 record.

The livestock subsector contracted by 1.06 percent and this was primarily due to lower hog production. The subsector contributed 12.36 percent to total agricultural output. The gross value of livestock production was P181.0 billion at current prices, up by 10.98 percent from last year's level.
The poultry subsector produced 4.71 percent more output during the year. The major source of growth was chicken with its 5.76 percent production gain. The subsector shared 14.11 percent in total agricultural output. Its gross value of production was P130.9 billion at current prices. This was 10.71 percent higher than last year's record.

The fisheries subsector recorded another 5.78 percent output increase in 2008. Aquaculture was the biggest gainer with output expanding by 8.71 percent. Production in commercial and muncipal fisheries went up by 2.78 percent and 2.19 percent, respectively. The subsector contributed 25.82 percent to total agricultural output. It generated gross earnings amounting to P215.5 billion at current prices or 19.37 percent higher than the 2007 level.

On the average, farmgate prices increased by 14.82 percent this year. Except for poultry, all subsectors registered two-digit price increments. The crops subsector came up with an average price increase of 19.12 percent. Prices in the livestock subsector moved up by 12.17 percent. In the fisheries subsector, prices recorded a 12.84 percent increase. Meanwhile, the poultry subsector had an average price increment of 5.73 percent.